Northwich Library renovation
Please note: Northwich Library on Witton Street is currently closed for repairs and renovation.
While work takes place a temporary library service is currently available at Weaver Hall Museum and a self-serve facility at Brio Memorial Court, Northwich.
To access information about the temporary library services please visit our Northwich library page.
We are committed to refurbishing Northwich Library. We recognise its value as a service to the people of Northwich and the sense of pride the building itself brings to people who live in the town.A project is underway to repair and refurbish the building and transform the services on offer to residents. It is intended to improve and develop the building to ensure it is robust and resilient for future generations.
Recognising the importance of the building and services it delivers, the Council has committed significant capital funding to its renovation. We’re delighted that this has been supplemented, following a successful bid, by external funding from The Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Libraries Improvement Fund which is administered by Arts Council England.
In August 2022, the age and condition of the existing timber-framed building meant that the library needed to be closed to protect public safety and allow structural engineers to carry out stabilisation work and further structural investigations.
In November 2022 the emergency stabilisation works were completed. This included carefully designed structural scaffolding to secure the west elevation.
From December 2022 onwards, extensive investigation works and technical surveys were initiated to enable the immediate repair strategy and inform the wider renovation project.
In March 2023, following stabilisation and investigations, immediate repair works to two thirds of the west elevation started on site. Repair works included safe asbestos removal from floor voids, replacement of floor joists and floorboards and replacement and repair of elements of the timber frame on the west elevation. Due to the historic nature of the building and its listed building status the works were complex and were completed in March 2024.
Additional structural scaffolding will be installed on the final West elevation panel during late summer/ early autumn 2024.
A design team has been appointed to work on the renovation project and plans for the renovation and development are currently being detailed before work begins again on site. We are looking forward to creating an accessible and welcoming Library and learning space.
Due to the scale and complexity of the works required it is not currently possible to identify the full timescale of the project at this stage. It is currently anticipated that the library will reopen to the public in 2026.
We will share further details of the work that will be undertaken and progress here.
Northwich Library opened in its temporary location at Weaver Hall Museum on Monday 30 January 2023, while the library building on Witton Street is being renovated.
The temporary library features a curated collection of the latest fiction and non-fiction titles for adults and children, internet access via public computers and free Wi-Fi, plus a range of events, activities and groups.
Weaver Hall Museum is walkable from the existing library building in approximately 15 minutes, either through the town or along the River Dane through Chinkers Field. It also offers free parking.
If you want to travel by bus there are two nearby bus stops on London Road, served by the number 4 Northwich Circular. More bus information can be found on the Arriva website.
Visit the itravelsmart website and app to see Cycling routes in Northwich and other active travel information.
There is also a self-service library option at Brio Memorial Court where books can be returned and more can be selected from a bespoke range. Our libraries at Barnton, Sandiway and Weaverham are open as usual, you can use any of our libraries to access activities, return/borrow items or use the ICT and other facilities.
Opening times and information about events and activities taking place at the library at Weaver Hall Museum can be found online:
November 2023: Replacement of some beams and floor joists following asbestos removal from the floor void. Stabilising scaffolding and west elevation repair in background.
November 2023: In progress repair of the timber frame on the west elevation.
December 2023: new timber frame and brick work on the west elevation, before the application of render.
December 2023: one of the new windows being prepared for the west elevation.
January 2024: new timber frame, brickwork and window frames on the first and second gable of the west elevation - before the application of render.
January 2024: new flooring in main room on west elevation.